The 1987 Buick Regal sits at an interesting crossroads in American car history, bridging the traditional rear-wheel-drive Regal lineup with the sharper performance identity that defined the Grand National and GNX era. Tire selection on this car is not one-size-fits-all, because the Regal used three radial sizes: 195/75R14, 205/70R14, and 215/65R15, depending on sub-model and wheel package. That means the real choice is part fitment, part presentation, with options ranging from whitewalls to redlines, raised white letter styles, and blackwall performance radials. Getting the right tire starts with confirming the exact Regal configuration and matching the tire to the car's wheels, appearance, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Buick Regal
The 1987 Buick Regal uses three primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel setup. Two sizes use 14-inch rims, while 215/65R15 uses a 15-inch rim, so confirming both the Regal trim and the wheel diameter is the first step before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or performance-oriented versus restoration-minded tire choices.
195/75R14 is a metric radial size in which 195 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, 75 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Buick Regal, this size suits 14-inch applications with a more traditional overall profile than the lower-series alternatives. Available choices include wide whitewall and narrow whitewall designs from brands such as Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, and Travelstar across several classic-style radial series. This size is worth considering when the goal is to stay with the proper 14-inch fitment while keeping a more formal, period-inspired sidewall presentation.
205/70R14 is also a metric radial, with a 205-millimeter nominal width, a 70-series profile, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Buick Regal, this size remains within the 14-inch wheel family but gives a slightly lower-profile look than 195/75R14. Product choices are especially broad here, including narrow whitewall, redline, dual redline, raised white letter, and blackwall styles from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. This is the size to evaluate carefully when a Regal uses 14-inch wheels but the desired appearance leans more sporty than formal.
215/65R15 is a metric radial size that combines a 215-millimeter nominal width with a 65-series profile on a 15-inch wheel. On the 1987 Buick Regal, it belongs to the 15-inch fitment used on performance-focused versions such as the Grand National, GNX, and T Type. Available options include raised white letter, outlined white letter, redline, and wide whitewall styles from Goodyear, Cooper, and BFGoodrich across Eagle GT, Cobra Radial G/T, Radial T/A, and Silvertown Radial lines. This size deserves close attention whenever the Regal has 15-inch wheels and the owner wants to balance correct fitment with either a muscular performance look or a more custom classic presentation.
Fitment on the 1987 Buick Regal varies by sub-model, so tire selection is more than a simple year-and-model lookup. Some versions stay with 14-inch radial sizes, while the GNX, Grand National, and T Type move to a 15-inch radial fitment, making the exact Regal configuration an important first check.
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1987 Buick Regal Base
The 1987 Buick Regal Base uses 14-inch radial tire fitments, with either 195/75R14 or 205/70R14 depending on the car's setup. That makes wheel confirmation especially important before choosing between traditional whitewall styling and sportier 14-inch radial options.
The 1987 Buick Regal GNX uses the 215/65R15 radial size on a 15-inch wheel. Tire selection here centers less on size choice and more on choosing the right sidewall treatment and tire series for the car's performance image and road-use goals.
The 1987 Buick Regal Grand National uses the 215/65R15 radial fitment. Once the 15-inch wheel setup is confirmed, the decision shifts toward appearance and tire character, with raised white letter, redline, and other period-minded radial choices available.
The 1987 Buick Regal Limited uses 14-inch radial tire sizes, either 195/75R14 or 205/70R14. Choosing between them starts with the actual wheel and vehicle setup, then moves into whether the car is being kept in a more formal whitewall style or a slightly sportier 14-inch presentation.
The 1987 Buick Regal T Type uses the 215/65R15 radial size on a 15-inch wheel. With the correct size established, the main decision becomes selecting a tire style that matches the car's performance personality without overlooking rim compatibility and overall clearance.
The 1987 Buick Regal with Gran Touring Pkg. uses the 205/70R14 radial size. That places the focus on 14-inch sporty radial options, where sidewall styling and tire series can make a noticeable difference in the car's finished look.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1987 Buick Regal Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Buick Regal tires span all three primary sizes and include choices from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Goodyear, and Cooper. Depending on size, the product grid lets you compare whitewall, redline, dual redline, blackwall, RWL, and OWL styles across several distinct radial series.
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Radial Tires
Coker Classic Star Series | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 195/75R14
Common 1987 Buick Regal tire questions usually come down to identifying the right size for the exact sub-model, confirming 14-inch versus 15-inch wheels, and choosing among the available radial styles, brands, and appearance options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Buick Regal?
A 1987 Buick Regal uses one of three radial tire sizes: 195/75R14, 205/70R14, or 215/65R15. The correct size depends on the specific Regal sub-model and wheel setup, with Base and Limited models using 14-inch sizes, the Gran Touring package using 205/70R14, and GNX, Grand National, and T Type models using 215/65R15.
The key step is confirming the exact Regal configuration and the wheel diameter currently on the car. A Regal that has been changed over to different wheels during its life may no longer match the original sub-model fitment, so the tire size should be matched to the actual wheel and available clearance before making a final selection.
What size rim does a 1987 Buick Regal use?
The 1987 Buick Regal uses either a 14-inch or 15-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. Both 195/75R14 and 205/70R14 are 14-inch tire fitments, while 215/65R15 is a 15-inch fitment used on models such as the GNX, Grand National, and T Type.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before anything else, because a 14-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 15-inch wheel and vice versa. It also helps to check the wheel width against the tire being considered, especially if the Regal has replacement wheels or a past owner changed the factory wheel and tire combination.
Why does the 1987 Buick Regal have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Buick Regal has more than one tire size because tire fitment varies across the model range. Some Regals used 14-inch wheel and tire combinations, while performance-oriented versions such as the GNX, Grand National, and T Type used the 215/65R15 size on a 15-inch wheel.
That variation means tire selection should start with the car's exact trim level and actual wheel diameter, not the Regal name alone. Two cars from the same model year can need different tires, and once the fitment is confirmed, the next decision becomes sidewall style, tire series, and the kind of road-going or restoration appearance desired.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Buick Regal?
Start with the correct primary size for the Regal's exact sub-model and wheel diameter: 195/75R14, 205/70R14, or 215/65R15. Since all three primary fitments are radial, the real comparison usually comes down to sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, load capacity, and whether the car is being kept in a formal, sporty, or restoration-minded presentation.
A whitewall tire can suit a more traditional Regal appearance, while redline, RWL, or OWL styles can push the car toward a more performance-oriented look. It also helps to compare the wheel width on the car against the tire's approved range, especially when the Regal has aftermarket wheels or has been updated from its original setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Buick Regal tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Buick Regal include wide whitewall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual redline, blackwall, RWL, and OWL depending on the tire size selected. The available style mix changes by size, so a 14-inch Regal may have different appearance options than a 15-inch Grand National, T Type, or GNX fitment.
That makes sidewall treatment an important part of choosing the finished look of the car, not just the tire itself. A Regal aimed at a formal boulevard appearance may lean toward whitewalls, while a more aggressive turbo-era presentation often points buyers toward raised white letter, outlined white letter, or redline radial choices.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Buick Regal?
Tires for the 1987 Buick Regal are available from Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Michelin, Goodyear, and Cooper. Brand availability depends on the exact size, with some focused more on whitewall and restoration-style radials, while others appear in sportier 14-inch and 15-inch performance-oriented sidewall treatments.
Choosing among them should come down to the correct size first, then the tire series, sidewall appearance, and wheel compatibility that best match the car. A Regal Limited being styled conservatively may point toward a different brand and sidewall than a Grand National or GNX that is being kept closer to its late-1980s muscle-era image.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Buick Regal?
A period-style 1987 Buick Regal tire starts with the correct fitment for the exact sub-model, then moves to the appearance that suits the car's character. Whitewall radials can complement Base and Limited models, while 205/70R14 and 215/65R15 options in redline, RWL, or OWL styles can better match a more performance-focused Regal presentation.
The best choice depends on whether the car is being restored to a traditional personal-luxury look or to a late-1980s turbo performance style. When exact originality matters, compare the tire's sidewall treatment and overall stance against period photos, build documentation, and Buick enthusiast references before settling on a final combination.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Buick Regal?
On a 1987 Buick Regal, primary fitment is already radial, so the construction decision is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about how the radial tire is styled. Profile, sidewall treatment, and wheel diameter have the biggest visual effect, especially when comparing whitewall 14-inch combinations with more muscular 15-inch redline or lettered tires.
A restored Regal can look noticeably different depending on whether it wears narrow whitewalls, wide whitewalls, blackwalls, or raised white letter sidewalls. Keeping the proper size for the sub-model preserves the car's intended stance more effectively than chasing appearance alone, particularly on models where 14-inch and 15-inch fitments were not interchangeable.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Buick Regal?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Buick Regal even when the tire size looks close on paper. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, lowered ride height, and brake or body modifications can all change how a 195/75R14, 205/70R14, or 215/65R15 tire sits in the wheel opening.
A Regal that no longer has its original wheels should be checked for actual rim diameter and width before ordering tires. Clearance at the front fenders, steering stops, and rear wheel openings also matters, especially on performance-oriented cars where a slightly different wheel choice can create rubbing that the original factory-style setup never had.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Buick Regal on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Buick Regal on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are seated properly, and check inflation pressure against the tire's intended operating range. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components, since worn bushings, shocks, or alignment settings can affect how the new tires behave.
A short test drive should include listening for rubbing, checking steering response, and rechecking air pressure afterward. Collector cars that have spent long periods parked deserve extra attention, because dried suspension parts, old valve stems, and neglected wheel hardware can undermine the benefits of a fresh set of properly sized radial tires.
How should tires on a collector 1987 Buick Regal be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1987 Buick Regal should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear, and protected from long exposure to sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources. Even on a low-mile car, tire age and storage conditions matter because a Regal that looks well preserved can still be riding on deteriorated rubber.
Driving the car periodically helps prevent extended flat-spotting, but long storage still calls for routine visual checks and pressure verification. The owner should also keep an eye on slow air loss and sidewall condition, particularly on cars shown infrequently or stored through winter, since collector use patterns can hide tire deterioration until road use resumes.
